Chapter Twenty. When Grace finally exited the OR after a grueling three-hour surgery to repair a damaged aorta, Eva was leaning against the wall

When Grace finally exited the OR after a grueling three-hour surgery to repair a damaged aorta, Eva was leaning against the wall, obviously waiting for her. Grace sighed and offered a slight smile, hoping her clear fatigue would send a message. When Eva followed her down the hallway, she knew it had not.

“I think we need to talk.”

“Not now. I’m exhausted.”

“I’ve called you half a dozen times since Sunday and you haven’t returned my calls.”

That was true. She didn’t really have anything to say that she hadn’t already said. She was grateful that Eva had come to Vegas and revealed Logan for the liar she was, but she’d said her thank yous, and that was all there was to it.

“Grace, please.” She grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop.

“What? ” She knew she sounded annoyed, but Eva of all people should know that she never mixed her personal and professional life.

“Look, are you okay? ” Eva whispered, conscious of the fact that they were standing in a public corridor. “I mean, you didn’t have any side effects from the E, did you? ”

“No, ” she said gently. It was kind of Eva to think of her health first. “I’m fine. I just need to sort out my life, you know. A lot happened over the weekend.”

“Hopefully you can’t remember most of it.”

“Actually it’s all rather clear, and if I’m honest with myself it was the most fun I’ve had in years.” As she said the words, Eva frowned, and she realized she’d hurt her without meaning to. “I’m sorry, ” she quickly said, “that didn’t come out well.”

Eva crossed her arms and shrugged. “It’s your life. But I’ll admit, I was unbelievably shocked when I saw you get off that motorcycle. It was entirely surreal. Grace Owens riding a motorcycle and looking like a second-rate tramp.”

She held her tongue and took a deep breath. Yes, she imagined after the drinking game and the long ride her appearance was unsightly, but she still looked sexy and Eva had cajoled her many times about her wardrobe which she affectionately called the bland and blasé.

She chose her words carefully as two doctors exited the OR and passed by with cordial nods. “I can’t talk about this now. Please understand. I’ll call you.”

“I’d like to see you again, ” Eva blurted. “I think we should give it another try.”

She wasn’t surprised after what Margo had said, but her timing was horrible. She couldn’t put into words how she was feeling. It was complicated, and every nerve in her body was spent, the operation draining her physically and mentally. She had no emotional energy left to share.

She started to walk away without responding, and Eva muttered, “You’ll never change.”

The comment stung, because she’d come to realize how poorly she’d behaved during her relationship with Eva, but anger instantly smothered her guilt and she whirled around to face her.

“Stop it. I’m grateful that you came to Vegas, and you were right about Logan, and you’re probably right to be angry about the past. I didn’t treat you very well. I’m sorry. I apologize. You’re a better person than me. Is that what you want to hear? ”

Her eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped. “I don’t think I’m better than you, ” she finally said. “I just want us to be together. Would you ever consider it? ”

She closed her eyes for a moment, fatigue overtaking her. “I’ll think about it. If you want an answer now, then it’s no.”

When their eyes met, Eva’s were clouded with doubt. “Sure, I’ll wait, ” she said.

She watched Eva walk away, and she suddenly realized she had no desire to rekindle their fire. It would be too much work, and it might not lead anywhere. They would have to dismantle the past, like taking apart a broken machine and then rebuilding it with the hopes that it would be better than the first model. And she didn’t think the old Eva would tolerate the new Grace for very long. She says you’ll never change because she doesn’t want you to change, not really.

She remembered Eva’s shock at the sight of her, covered in beer, wearing the sexy biker outfit. Before the plane took off, Eva had shuttled her into an airport shop, where she bought a new tank top to wear onto the plane. Still, clad in the leather jacket, many of the male passengers stared unabashedly, until their female companions poked them in the ribs and snarled at her. A flight attendant took a particular interest in her, offering her pillows and blankets, and flashing a killer smile more than once in her direction.

She giggled at the memory and halted her trek to the doctor’s lounge. That’s significant, Gracie. You liked the attention and you felt sexy. You flaunted your sexuality. She leaned against the closest wall and sighed. There really was only one question she couldn’t answer. Had she uncovered the key to her happiness, or was the new Grace just a chemical reaction to drugs and the Root of Passion?